There is no singular way to visit area farmers tailgate markets. Perhaps you stay the for multiple hours talking to everyone you know and see. Or, maybe you seek out foods to try that you’ve never eaten before. Farmers markets are an opportunity to have a range of new and interesting experiences, and try new flavors. At the same time, they’re venues full of familiarity; the veggies you know and love year after year, the friendly faces of farmers and community members. These local food community spaces are where the familiar and the out of the ordinary meet.
People are often the most endearing and consistent aspects of markets, such as the farmers that you see every week year after year. The most reliable farmers can have the most interesting and uncommon produce.
Familiar: Karen and Tom of Thatchmore Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) who have been farming since 1987.
Out of the ordinary: Thatchmore Farm often has unique species of herbs, fruits and vegetables such as papalo, an herb that is somewhat like cilantro and mint.
Nothing says comfort like baked goods. Unless they’re made with unconventional ingredients, making them a new food experience for many.
Familiar: Hand Pies from Aimee of Sweetheart Bakery (River Arts District Farmers Market, Asheville City Market, and North Asheville Tailgate Market).
Out of the ordinary: Cricket flour bars from Alyssa of LaViewEye (River Arts District Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market).
Food consumed regularly in one place and culture can be often be unknown in another. For most Americans, butter is ubiquitous, while the Indian-clarified butter called ghee, is harder to come by.
Familiar: Butter from Mills River Creamery sold by Joe of Brittain Farms (Mills River Farmers Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market).
Out of the ordinary: Ghee — which is produced by melting butter in order for the water to evaporate and the milk solids to separate out — from Goddess Ghee (West Asheville Tailgate Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market).
Mushrooms can be cultivated (grown intentionally), while others can only be wild harvested making them much rarer.
Familiar: Shiitakes from Paul at Ivy Creek Family Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market and Weaverville Tailgate Market).
Out of the ordinary: Chanterelles — wild, rich, flavorful, and delicate — from Alan at Asheville Wild Foods (River Arts District Farmers Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market).
Next time you’re at one of the area farmers tailgate markets keep your eye out for the farms and foods where the familiar and out of the ordinary meet to create unique and exciting shopping experiences. Let us know on social media by using #appgrown!
For a complete list of Appalachian Grown™ certified tailgate markets browse ASAP’s onlineLocal Food Guide or the online farmers market calendar.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
